With spring break fast approaching, many people are counting down the hours, minutes and seconds until they’re on vacation with friends or family. But while spring break can be an exciting week filled with fun activities, or just a time to rest and chill out, it’s important to be safe– especially if you’re traveling.
For many college students, spring break trips are the first time they’re traveling somewhere far away without family, and there are several important things to keep in mind if you’re traveling this break. The most obvious one is to ensure you’re following all of the laws where you’re traveling to and not to make stupid choices. Popular spring break destinations like Panama City Beach, Florida, have instituted noise ordinances in the past several years to ensure college kids aren’t bothering locals too much. Make sure you’re aware of the laws and rules of wherever you’re traveling, because being unaware could leave you with a big fine or worse at the end of the week.
If you’re traveling with a big group of friends, remember that there’s safety in numbers: share your location with friends, never leave friends behind in unfamiliar places, and if anyone in your group is drinking, make sure one person stays sober to ensure that everyone parties responsibly and has a reliable way back to wherever you’re staying.
While the beach is arguably the most common vacation destination for college spring break trips, it can also be the most dangerous. If you’re going to the beach and planning on drinking alcohol, don’t go swimming. According to the American Safety Council, 70% of deaths from recreational water activities, like swimming, involve alcohol. Also, make sure you’re obeying the warnings posted at beaches: they’re put there for a reason, especially in areas that aren’t monitored by lifeguards.
If you’re planning on tanning, remember to put on sunscreen. It sounds counterintuitive, but having sunscreen with at least SPF 30 can help ensure you get a nice tan while also lowering your risk of getting skin cancer. The ideal length of time to tan in to prevent severe sunburns or sun poisoning is around 2-3 hours while moving frequently to prevent burning.
No matter what you’re doing or where you’re going this spring break, make sure you drink water. For those traveling to the beach or planning on spending a lot of time in the sun, being dehydrated while outside in the hot sun can cause serious health effects. If you’re traveling away from home without your parents, bring a copy of your insurance card (if you’re able). That way, if you have to go to the hospital or urgent care, you’re able to get care.
At the end of the day, spring break is a time to let loose, have fun, and take a break from being a college student for a week. If you’re going to travel and party, make sure you’re doing it safely, and you know the rules and resources available to you, wherever you’re traveling.
